From thundering longbows on the Palace lawns to DIY rafts battling it out on the moat, Wells is throwing everything it’s got at the August bank holiday.

What’s On in Wells is brought to you by the Wells Festival of Literature — celebrating words, ideas and the art of storytelling this October.

If you like your summer days packed with crafts, costumes and a little competitive chaos, Wells is the place to be this week.

Thursday 21 August

Ease into the weekend with Willows & Words: Meet Author Claire Barker at Ferne Animal Sanctuary from 12 pm. Two storytelling sessions, a Q&A, and signed copies to take home — perfect for book-loving kids (£10 per child, ages 6–10, booking essential).

If glue sticks are more your speed, The Bishop's Palace is running Summer Holidays Family Crafting – "Nature Ninjas" from 11 am to 3 pm. Get your hands dirty (literally) making recycled planters, and yes, it's included with admission. While you're there, don't miss the Summer Holidays Family Trail — a self-guided wander through 14 acres of gardens. Kids collect stamps for their Palace Passport; grown-ups get a moment's peace.

Saturday 23 August

Saturday kicks off with drama of the best kind. The Highgate Vampire sinks its teeth into The Amulet with a mix of musical comedy, Victorian music hall, and Monty Python absurdity. Curtain's up at 7.15 pm (£12 adults, £7 concessions).

For a different kind of nostalgia, head to The Rifleman's Arms for the 90's Rave at The Rifes from 9 pm. Expect glow sticks, bucket hats and free entry.

Meanwhile, Wells goes full medieval for day one of Bowlore Medieval at The Bishop's Palace: swordplay, archery, and weapons displays from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, all included in admission.

Sunday 24 August

The Bowlore crew return for day two — the clashing swords, soaring arrows, and medieval encampments continue at Wells.

In Glastonbury, the annual RITS Day ride-out and family fun day takes place, in memory of Lee Baker and in support of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Bikes will roll out from Tor Leisure, BA6 9EF, at 10.30am. Sign-in closes at 10am and it's £5 per person to join the ride. Marshals in high-vis will be along the route and may pause traffic for a few minutes to let groups through safely, so expect short delays and give them a bit of patience.

From midday it turns into a full family day at Tor Leisure, running from 12 noon until late.

There's a fun dog show, live music from local bands, kids' entertainment and rides, plenty of food and drink, stalls to browse, plus a raffle and auction. Entry to the fun day is free, with donations welcome for the air ambulance.

Prefer sequins to swords? Street's The Loft is hosting Benidorm Nights – Rod Stewart Tribute ("The Rod Father") in the evening (£15). Andy Berry's tribute act promises raspy ballads and sing-along anthems, all hosted by Voice of Somerset, Tim Pitman.

Monday 25 August (Bank Holiday)

Bank Holiday Monday offers something for everyone:

• Head to the Ammerdown Centre for the Family Fun Day from 1 pm to 4 pm — bouncy castle, drumming workshops, stalls and ice cream, all free.
• Wells' Moat Boat Races see teams race DIY rafts around the moat. Expect big splashes, bigger egos, and plenty of laughs. Free to watch; charity donations welcome.
• Bowlore Medieval wraps up its third and final day with more archery, weaponry, and plenty of armour posing for the camera.

Thursday 28 August

Finish the week on a creative note with Summer Holidays Family Crafting – Stained Glass Art at The Bishop's Palace, 11 am to 3 pm. Make faux stained-glass inspired by the palace's historic windows (included with admission).

The same day sees the launch of The Costumes of BBC's Wolf Hall Exhibition at The Bishop's Palace. Costumes worn by Damian Lewis and co. are on display from 28 August to 28 September — perfect for history buffs and TV drama obsessives alike.

Ongoing This Week

• Tractored by Beetles Art Exhibition
• — Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. Sculpture, film, photography and painting inspired by Simon Armitage's Fugitives poem. Tue–Sun, 10 am–5 pm, included in entry.
• Wow! Amazing Science
• — Museum of Somerset, Taunton. Hands-on experiments, 3D banquets and a robot dog named Radar. Tue–Thu, 10 am–5 pm, £2 per activity.
• Summer Fun on the Farm
• — Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. Animals, bugs, crafts, poetry trails and a café. Tue–Sun, 10 am–5 pm, free with Museum Unlimited Pass.

Whether you're wielding a bow, waving a glow stick or belting out Maggie May, Shepton Mallet and its neighbours have your bank holiday sorted.